Lorry tarpaulin material is very versatile and easy to work with. It is extremely tear-proof and waterproof and can be used to make bags, duffel bags, backpacks or even (rain) jackets and pants. Of course it can also be used as a tarp either plain or hemmed, stretched on a frame for an advertising sign, as well as used as a projection screen, room divider, (shower) curtain or, in conjunction with a tubular frame (see PIPE FITTINGS), as a tent.

The olive green tarpaulin is a much sturdier version that is used by the Austrian military as a truck tarpaulin and tank cover. These tarpaulins must be extremely resistant to outdoor weathering; for this reason they are painted with a plasticizer protecting varnish in order to assure that they will not become brittle because of a loss of plasticizer. On the other hand, the material should not give off reflections - this is, after all, the military! - so a special matte paint is also used. To these differences must be added the fact that the tarpaulin itself is a whole level sturdier than standard truck tarpaulin material.

In general, all tarpaulins can be cut with a scissors or cutter and glued by means of SOFT-PVC GLUE.. Any holes made for hanging curtains or for stretching/spanning purposes should be reinforced with hollow rivets. Pop rivets are best for rivet connections but they should be secured with a grommet in order to hinder any tearing.

A leather sewing needle should be used for any sewing work because it can cut through such a thick material and thereby allow for a more flowing sewing motion. The seams should subsequently be reinforced with soft-PVC glue. A presser foot glides best over the moderately sticky PVC if it is made from Teflon (unfortunately, a Teflon presser foot is not exactly cheap!). It is less expensive to use a tissue paper as an underlay or to put some sewing machine oil (SILICONE OIL) on the area to be sewn to make it slippery.